The revered legacy of the Dodge Charger, an icon in the realm of muscle cars, rendered the recent departure of the Hemi V-8 all the more poignant for Mopar enthusiasts. As the final 2023 Dodge Charger and Challenger rolled off the assembly line at the Stellantis Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, emotions ran high.
However, now the Charger is set to make a comeback, reincarnated with electric motors and all-wheel-drive prowess, bidding farewell to its Hemi V-8s and superchargers.
The forthcoming 2024 Charger will be constructed on Stellantis’s modular STLA Large platform, available in R/T and Scat Pack trims, exclusively powered by an electric powertrain for its initial model year.
Subsequently, the electric iterations of the Charger will adopt the moniker Charger Daytona, with gas-powered Sixpack variants slated for production in 2025, utilizing Stellantis’s Hurricane twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engines.
Amidst the anticipation for the Sixpack models, a timely comparison between the new 2024 Charger Daytona and its predecessor, the 2023 Charger, seems fitting.
Powertrain Offerings:
The 2023 Charger R/T and Scat Pack boasted robust Hemi V-8 engines, generating 370 hp and 485 hp, respectively. However, the new Charger Daytonas replaced these monstrous engines with a 400-volt electrical architecture and a battery featuring 93.9 kWh of usable capacity.
With electric motors at both the front and rear axles, standard all-wheel drive is now a feature. The R/T is expected to deliver up to 496 horsepower, while the Scat Pack could muster a staggering 670 horses, including a 15-second “Power Shot” function for a temporary boost.
Dimensions and Design:
The new Charger Daytona showcases a slightly stretched wheelbase and increased overall length and width, promising enhanced practicality with a spacious cargo area and added front storage. Visually, the design echoes the Charger Daytona concept, with notable features such as the illuminated Fratzog logo and redesigned headlights.
Interior:
Inside, the cabin retains its signature elements, including a digital dash and a central infotainment screen, with varying sizes for the instrument cluster based on the model. Notable updates include a new pistol-grip selector for gear shifting and “Attitude Adjustment” ambient lighting.
Expected Price:
While the shift to electrification may lead to a higher price point, the exact figures remain undisclosed. However, it’s anticipated that the 2024 Charger Daytona R/T and Scat Pack may command a significantly higher price than their gas-powered predecessors, with estimated starting prices closer to $60,000 and $70,000, respectively.
The transition to electrification marks a new chapter for the Dodge Charger, blending its rich heritage with cutting-edge technology and performance, albeit with an expected shift in pricing.
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